Loyalty of the Umayyad Governors in Al-Maghrib after Completing the Conquest: 97-132AH/715-750CE

Abstract

In 45AH (665CE), Muʿāwiya ibn Abī Sufyān (41–60AH/661–680CE), the first Umayyad caliph, continued the efforts of the Rashidūn Caliphate in conquering Al-Maghrib by dispatching multiple military leaders to conduct campaigns in the region. The Umayyad conquest was ultimately completed under the sixth Umayyad caliph, Al-Walīd ibn ʿAbd al-Malik (86–96AH/705–715CE), who appointed the first Umayyad governor of Al-Maghrib in 58AH (678CE). This paper explains the most important factors that the Umayyad caliphs relied on in appointing their governors in al-Maghrib after completing the conquest. It also examines the relationship between the factors for selecting leaders during the conquest of al-Maghrib and those for appointing governors. These factors show the extent of the loyalty of these governors to the Umayyad Caliphate. Previous studies have discussed various aspects of the history of al-Maghrib during and after the conquest. However, they have not paid attention to the elements of this research. This research consulted primary sources which had discussed various aspects of the Umayyad and al-Maghrib history.